Bastia, Corsica

Bastia, Corsica

First, we took a coach out to a quaint little fishing village called Erbalunga, which featured a Genoese watchtower on our walking tour – lots of history lessons included!  Afterwards, we had another walking tour through the old part of Bastia. We started at the citadel, which wasn’t a garrison, but a walled enclosure to protect the rich.  The citadel also contained the palace of the Governor and the church of St. Croix, which houses a black-oak crucifix, that was found in the sea in 1428.

Apparently, there are at least 14 churches in Bastia alone. We visited three, but had to wait to see two of them, as they were busy with funerals.  Baroque and rococo styles abound and here is a description of both for your edification!

Rococo developed out of Baroque. Both styles feature elaborate ornament and decoration, and both were used in large structures with a social or cultural status. Baroque architecture is serious, dramatic, and heavy. On the other hand, Rococo is light, airy and decorative.

The second church we visited was Ste-Marie Cathedral and the last church we visited was St-Jean-Baptiste – built between 1636 and 1671. It is on such a narrow street, that the only way to get a good photo was from across the little inlet.